Patna: The Bihar government has warned that anyone found intoxicated on December 31 or January 1 will face strict legal action, as senior officials ordered sweeping security measures to maintain law and order during New Year celebrations in the prohibition-bound state.
At a high-level meeting in Patna on Tuesday, chief secretary Pratyay Amrit and director general of police Vinay Kumar reviewed preparations with district magistrates and superintendents of police, who joined via video conference. Officials were instructed to ensure there were no lapses in security across the state during the festive period.
Amrit directed district administrations to maintain heightened surveillance at crowded and sensitive locations, including markets, public spaces and major intersections. He said CCTV cameras must be installed at all identified hotspots, with existing systems checked regularly, and called for adequate police deployment in parks and picnic areas.
“To further strengthen security, CCTV cameras should be installed at all identified and sensitive locations, and the functionality of the already installed cameras should be regularly checked,” Amrit said, adding that prompt action must be taken in the event of any dispute or untoward incident.
The chief secretary also asked officials to ensure arrangements for bonfires for the needy amid cold weather conditions, and ordered inspections of hospitals to ensure there were sufficient blankets for patients and that medical staff were present on duty.
Addressing the meeting, the DGP warned of increased demand for alcohol and drugs among young people around New Year, which he said could pose risks to public order. Bihar has enforced total prohibition since 2016, and officials reiterated that those found consuming alcohol — including locally used “lehenga chops”, a colloquial term for illicit liquor — would be arrested.
“Regular raids should be conducted wherever information related to alcohol or drugs is received. Strict action should be taken against those found guilty,” Kumar said. He also directed police to closely monitor biker gangs, which he said tend to become more active during festive occasions.
The DGP ordered adequate deployment of police personnel at pilgrimage sites, where crowds are expected to increase, and said senior officers must properly brief and debrief their teams. He emphasised the installation of CCTV cameras on streets, at intersections and in other sensitive areas.
Kumar further instructed officials to launch anti-drug awareness campaigns in blocks, districts, schools and other institutions, alongside intensive frisking and checking in border areas to curb the trafficking of drugs and illegal weapons. Suspicious individuals, he said, should be questioned immediately.
The meeting was attended by development commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh, additional director general (law and order) Pankaj Darad, and other senior officials.
